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4-8 switchable joysticks
mgb:
--- Quote from: Vigo on October 16, 2014, 09:45:58 pm ---
--- Quote from: yotsuya on October 16, 2014, 09:28:03 pm ---
--- Quote from: mgb on October 16, 2014, 07:43:22 pm ---I'm really not sure why anyone wants long throw on a 4-way stick.
To me, a 4-way should be tight and quick.
--- End quote ---
Agreed.
--- End quote ---
Yeah but in this case, it isn't due to the short quick shaft, but the stick is stiff with an overly strong pushback.
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Yeah, that would be a problem
RandyT:
The issue with any switchable 4/8 way stick is that they usually need to have a square restrictor which rotates to diamond for 4-way play. The relative size of the restrictor and actuator, and the switch position, is a very delicate balancing act which the designer must perform. Even when these are ideal, there are limitations which can't be overcome. As indicated above, good 4-way sticks are physically restricted, and have a short, quick actuation. Even the best switchable will have a longer throw in 4-way, than in 8-way, thus the shorter one tries to make the throw in 4-way, the more truncated the 8-way throw becomes.
Switchable joysticks, either physically or digitally, are a compromise. The laws of geometry and physics pretty much dictate that a joystick which can do both, will do neither extremely well, or do one well at the expense of the other. They do have a place on many a panel, but expectations need to be measured by what is actually possible, given those limitations.
All that being said, a very good "do-all" stick is possible. But it would require a fairly complicated mechanical contraption, coupled with some digital technologies, to pull it off. By time one considers the cost, possible reliability issues and complexities of use, it would probably make more sense, for those looking for the best possible performance, to plant a proper 4-way joystick on the panel somewhere.
mgb:
--- Quote from: RandyT on October 17, 2014, 12:25:48 am ---The issue with any switchable 4/8 way stick is that they usually need to have a square restrictor which rotates to diamond for 4-way play. The relative size of the restrictor and actuator, and the switch position, is a very delicate balancing act which the designer must perform. Even when these are ideal, there are limitations which can't be overcome. As indicated above, good 4-way sticks are physically restricted, and have a short, quick actuation. Even the best switchable will have a longer throw in 4-way, than in 8-way, thus the shorter one tries to make the throw in 4-way, the more truncated the 8-way throw becomes.
Switchable joysticks, either physically or digitally, are a compromise. The laws of geometry and physics pretty much dictate that a joystick which can do both, will do neither extremely well, or do one well at the expense of the other. They do have a place on many a panel, but expectations need to be measured by what is actually possible, given those limitations.
All that being said, a very good "do-all" stick is possible. But it would require a fairly complicated mechanical contraption, coupled with some digital technologies, to pull it off. By time one considers the cost, possible reliability issues and complexities of use, it would probably make more sense, for those looking for the best possible performance, to plant a proper 4-way joystick on the panel somewhere.
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Very well stated and true.
The perfect 4/8 way will never be commercially available,
The best solutions will have to be home brewed
jimmer:
Like Randy says, automatic 4way/8way is possible, but expensive. Especially if you want unrestriced (pun) choice of gate shape.
I have separate panels myself, but if I had only 1 panel I would make it tiltable and choose a joystick that you can remove the restrictor and replace it with a different shape.
On which note, I've started producing restrictors for various joysticks. I'm still testing what shapes/dimensions are best. I've done LS32 and JLF tests so far, JLW will be easy to add.
I'm very into what I call the octoshape or octosquare, which is between octagon and square and I think the fighters will like it.
LightningBolt:
--- Quote from: RandyT on October 17, 2014, 12:25:48 am ---The issue with any switchable 4/8 way stick is that they usually need to have a square restrictor which rotates to diamond for 4-way play. The relative size of the restrictor and actuator, and the switch position, is a very delicate balancing act which the designer must perform. Even when these are ideal, there are limitations which can't be overcome. As indicated above, good 4-way sticks are physically restricted, and have a short, quick actuation. Even the best switchable will have a longer throw in 4-way, than in 8-way, thus the shorter one tries to make the throw in 4-way, the more truncated the 8-way throw becomes.
Switchable joysticks, either physically or digitally, are a compromise. The laws of geometry and physics pretty much dictate that a joystick which can do both, will do neither extremely well, or do one well at the expense of the other. They do have a place on many a panel, but expectations need to be measured by what is actually possible, given those limitations.
All that being said, a very good "do-all" stick is possible. But it would require a fairly complicated mechanical contraption, coupled with some digital technologies, to pull it off. By time one considers the cost, possible reliability issues and complexities of use, it would probably make more sense, for those looking for the best possible performance, to plant a proper 4-way joystick on the panel somewhere.
--- End quote ---
Would you consider happy ms pacman reunion stick a true 4 way?
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